The St. Albert U16 AAA Tetz Powell CPAs Flyers' season is off to a roaring start after the hockey team rattled off a 4-0-1 record in their first five games of the season.
The Flyers are also currently tied for first place in the North Division of the Alberta Elite Hockey League.
They added two of those four wins last week while finishing off a five-game home-stand at Jarome Iginla Arena.
Head coach Carson Fleming said the Flyers did everything he could have asked for early on in the season.
“They’re playing hard, moving pucks, playing good as a team, and we’re starting to come together,” said Fleming. “We want to keep working on the same things we’re working on [moving forward into the season].”
Flyers forward Turner McIntyre agreed, adding he thinks the team has turned in a complete 200-foot game.
“Our fore-check has been unreal, back-check has been unreal, and our defensive side has been great,” said McIntyre.
The Flyers' Thursday game against the Canadian Athletic Club was a defensive battle that saw Flyers goaltender Luca Giordano stop all 33 shots in regulation.
The game went into overtime, as both teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the end of 60 minutes. The Canadians didn't waste much time — Escalus Burlock notched the game-winner just over a minute into the extra period to hand the Flyers their first loss of the season.
The Flyers didn’t dwell on the loss. They were back on the ice on Saturday to host the Parkland Saints, a game which saw a lot more scoring by the home team.
Ryder Boddez got the Flyers on the board late in the first period for game’s first lead at 1-0. They went on scoring spree for the rest of the game. Boddez notched a second one, while Cash Carter added two of his own with the help of another goal by Cohen Daoust. They walked out of the rink with a 5-1 win in their pockets.
The Flyers weren't fazed by the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in Sunday's finale on Flyers home ice. The Flyers quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game, with first-period goals were courtesy of Boddez, Turner Mcintyre, and Jake Giacobbo.
The Rangers fought back in the second with two goals of their own, but a trio of goals by Daoust, Cash, and Owen Prohar put a win out of reach. The Flyers took this game 6-2.
McIntyre said, off the ice, the chemistry has flowed as much as it does on the ice. He said the team has found something other than themselves to play for.
“In the room, we are always supporting each other,” said McIntyre. “We keep each other up and on the bench. We’re always talking with each other and communicating.
“[We've] just got to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Fleming said he is super proud of how his team has come together in a short time.
“I think we have a really good group,” said Fleming. “Lot of good boys in that room and they do a good job playing for each other.”
The Flyers will take on the R'ohan Bobcats in Lloydminster on Saturday. They'll be back on home ice on Sunday to battle Edmonton's Knights of Columbus Centennials.
